The Trinity Ring

by C. A. Bleu

  “Zara, there is so much more than you know.” He sighed, filled once again with the regret of all the secrets he had kept from her. “This room is for our security and surveillance of the property. You have always been under surveillance, but we have definitely stepped up security since you came into your powers. Apparently not enough if someone was outside watching you.” The two men looked at him in question as he spouted off orders to review the camera footage.

  Zara stood frozen in the doorway for a moment before deciding she should leave them to it. Without a word, she backed out and walked down the long hall toward the kitchen. ‘A security and surveillance room’, she thought to herself. Aaron was right, there was so much she still didn’t know.

  As she walked silently back to the kitchen, she reflected on the past few days. She had quickly learned to fill the cup, bringing only a small amount of lake water, much to Marie’s surprise. They had begun to work on controlling fire and feeling the sensations of earth and new growth. Zara was still a little reluctant to work with air after what happened with Lilith, but she knew this would be what they tackled next.

  Lying down to sleep that night she was feeling more at ease with herself and the power humming through her veins. The lessons from Marie had helped her to learn how to feel the power, guide it to do what she wanted. Marie had told her it would not be long before she felt a measure of control, enough to begin to try to hunt down Erebus. She knew she needed to put an end to him and his threats on humanity. As she began to fall asleep, her thoughts drifted back to the forest and the sense that someone was there, but who?

  In his small hotel room, Dimitri settled in as he too hoped to get some asleep, but his mind raced with plans for his mission. When sleep finally came for him the last sight to pass through his mind was of a strong warrior with fiery red hair blowing in the wind, high strong cheekbones and golden eyes piercing into him.

  Chapter 9

  Up early the next morning, Dimitri was ready to forget he ever laid eyes on Zara Trinity. Already in the forest, long before there was any movement coming from inside the cabin, Dimitri watched and waited. After what he witnessed yesterday, he realized he needed to try to understand Zara Trinity’s power better in order to defeat her. His mind made up that he would only observe today, a stakeout, hidden in the forest just outside the edge of the property so he could figure out how much she was capable of. He ignored the part of his mind telling him that all he needed was a clean shot and this would be over.

  If he was honest, he was curious about this girl. He had never seen Erebus so eager to get rid of someone. Settled in far to the west this time, he was about two hundred yards from the property line. He had taken the time to study the cabin and property layout he obtained from Erebus last night. In a couple hours’ time, he heard the first rumblings of conversation heading toward him. It was the redhead who he was sure must be Zara Trinity and the same older woman was with her again, they were heading out to the field.

  The Protectors of the Trinity were nowhere in sight, but he knew they were nearby. He watched as her strong athletic legs brought her closer to him. I could take her out right now, he thought to himself, knowing that it would be an easy shot, but his curiosity won out as he wanted to know more about her. She intrigued him and he wanted to figure out why.

  Zara listened to Marie talk about their powers as they headed to a new section of the forest that Zara rarely went to. It still felt warm and inviting to her, but it was not the same welcoming feeling she usually had. They stopped in a small open clearing where they set their things down in order to begin what Marie had described as a grounding exercise to help Zara. They had done this same exercise the past couple days which really did seem to leave Zara feeling more connected and in control.

  Today, Marie had brought a kite out with her for Zara to work with. Zara smirked as she remembered the moment Marie had pulled the kite out while they were in the kitchen. Zara had rolled her eyes, trying hard to keep from laughing out loud so she did not hurt Marie’s feelings. Although Zara thought it was somewhat childish, she guessed it was as good a way as any to try to gain some control over the air and wind.

  Marie laid the kite down at Zara’s feet and motioned for her to try to move it. Zara stared at it, concentrating until she began to feel that now familiar sensation of power building in her veins. Closing her eyes, she basked in the feeling as the rush of electricity moved through her, making her feel invincible. Learning how to ease the surge inside her had been difficult, but she had made a lot of progress so far. The power was intense and at times she wanted to give in to it and see what all she could do.

  Taking a calming breath, Zara opened her eyes and let her mind and body communicate about what she wanted to have happen. She stared at the kite, concentrating as a breeze blew by and she smiled with pride as the kite lifted off the ground. Slowly at first, then gracefully high into the air. Zara could not believe the feeling inside her body. It was as if she could feel the wind in her face and moving over her arms like she was the one soaring in the sky. Zara laughed as she played with the wind, making the kite climb and fall in the air.

  Dimitri sat mesmerized, this had to be the most open and vulnerable spot he ever had a target in, yet he still continued to watch. When she laughed, so carefree, he thought he had never seen or heard anything so beautiful. He knew this was trouble for him, but he could not take his eyes off her. Zara Trinity was strong, captivating, but none of that mattered because he was sent here to kill her.

  His mind drifted momentarily as he began to think about making a different choice. Images of his past flashed before him, a life forgotten. Maybe he could find a way to get closer to her. No, he had a mission to complete and she was his target. Taking a deep fortifying breath, he shook the thoughts from his mind and continued to observe her, making calculated assessments and looking for any flaws. He knew he could kill her with one shot from where he sat now, but that would be too easy.

  Suddenly, the kite fell from the sky as Zara looked from side to side. The hairs on her arms stood and something in her gut sent a chill of warning through her body. Mom, what is going on? she thought to herself, wondering what these paranoid thoughts were about as there never seemed to be anyone around when she felt she was being watched. Then, as promised, the ball of golden light appeared, becoming Isabella, her mother.

  “Zara, you’re in danger, honey. You are right to follow your gut, it will never steer you wrong. Over in the field to the west, there is an intruder. He’s been watching you. He must be working for Erebus. Oh honey, I’ve been wanting to warn you, but I can’t fully appear unless you call for me.” Her mother’s form was already fading away. Adrenaline flashed like lightning through her body, crackling with white-hot power as Zara turned her gaze to the west.

  Unaware he was attracting attention, Dimitri calmly reached for his binoculars after writing in his small notebook. When he lifted his eyes to find Zara, he was again met by a fierce stare that seemed to have more specs of red mixed with gold in them than he remembered. The gaze in his direction held so much fire and malice it actually took his breath away. He had never before felt a sliver of fear on a mission, but now, he knew he needed to get out of there and fast.

  Without breaking her gaze, Zara’s voice bellowed, “Marie, go back and tell Aaron to send a team to the west end of the property.” Then she headed off with determined strides.

  “Zara what is going on, I’m not leaving you,” Marie said, concerned.

  “Go, now, we have an intruder and I mean to find out who it is,” Zara said, not looking back as she followed her senses in the direction her mother had indicated.

  Someone had been watching her yesterday, she knew it. Zara was flooded with a surge of pure power, more intense than she had ever felt before. Anger began to build within her as she marched on. Anger toward her enemy, anger toward her time lost with her mother, anger she never knew she had boiled up inside her ready to explode. She was locked on a target she could
n’t see but she could feel. Zara called to the power inside of her and with her arms outstretched she sent a surge out into the forest. The trees began to sway as gale force winds blew out through the forest, clearing the path where she headed.

  Dimitri’s heart raced, he could hear and feel the force of her power heading his way. Grabbing what he could, he took off running, he knew if he stayed there, he was going to die. A gust of powerful wind knocked him off his feet. He was up in the air before he knew it and was thrown into a nearby tree. After finding his footing he began to run again.

  The ground was changing behind him as he ran. Vines were growing all around, thick vines with red-tipped thorns weaving among one another heading in his direction. He threw his bag over his head and ran as hard as he could to get away. The winds kept up, but he could tell when he was beginning to clear the area of her power. He could feel the shift in the air the farther out of her reach he ran. He didn’t stop, he ran for miles back to the secluded area where he left his car. “What the hell was that?” he said aloud to himself, panting as he started the car and slammed his foot on the gas.

  Never in his life had he experienced anything like that. He was scared and it pissed him off. There was no way he was backing down now, but how was he going to defeat her? Maybe he would just have to take the long-distance shot after all. Shaking his head with a smile, he had to admit that Zara Trinity was one hell of a powerful woman. He was the most skilled assassin Erebus had and this was going to be a challenge.

  The vision of her stare burned in his mind as he drove. His thoughts drifted and for the first time in his life, he wondered what all of this was really about and what exactly Erebus was fighting for. He had seen Erebus angry before but the powerful golden stare of Zara Trinity put Erebus to shame.

  “Zara, come back!” Marie yelled with a worried tremble in her voice, revealing her fear. Her wide eyes froze as she stared at the power Zara had unleashed. Marie forced herself to turn away, running toward the cabin to get Aaron. He and his team took off out the front of the cabin, hopping into two cars to drive around to the west side. Marie came back outside, down the back porch steps, heading after Zara. Following in Zara’s wake, she could not believe what she was seeing. Her steps slowed as she looked around at the damage and the changes in the forest. Zara had caused total destruction all around.

  Zara could feel when the intruder was gone, he fled like the coward he was. Power pulsed within her, she felt on fire, invincible. The wind picked up swirling the long strands of her red hair which appeared to be alight with flames. With so much power, she knew nothing could touch her and she felt like she could do anything. She was the most powerful person in the world as her body filled with anger, rage, and hate. Emotions she never knew she had bottled over the years seemed to unleash within her. She needed an outlet now that her enemy had fled. Zara let out a howling, cleansing yell that sent all the emotion draining out of her body. A cathartic release that was long overdue.

  Marie’s head shot up when she heard the yell up ahead, so loud, so feral, it seemed foreign to her, yet she knew it had to be Zara. In that instant, thick vines shot out from all directions presumably emanating from the source, Zara. One came straight toward Marie. She moved, but not soon enough as a thick vine with red spikes went straight through her thigh. Marie fell to the ground in shock, tormented by the physical pain. She clutched her leg, writhing in agony as she attempted to remove the vine. The pain was overtaking her as she laid back among the dying wildflowers, sending out a silent prayer for Isabella to help if she could.

  Zara’s mind and senses slowly came back into focus, she looked around trying to slow her breathing. “What happened, what have I done?” Zara said to herself aloud as she took in the devastation she had caused. She could still feel the power within her, calling her, but she tried to ignore it as she looked at the forest around her. Circling around on shaky legs, she caught a glimpse of her grandmother on the ground. Panic gripped her heart as she ran over to her.

  There appeared to be a thick vine sticking through her thigh and for a moment she wasn’t even sure if her grandmother was alive. “Oh, my God, have I done this?” Zara said aloud.

  Her legs were weak and wobbly as she knelt down beside her grandmother. Marie’s eyes fluttered open and when they locked on Zara’s, the look of fear in them made Zara’s heart skip in anguish. Zara’s world grew suddenly dark as she collapsed forward onto the ground beside her grandmother.

  Chapter 10

  Whispers of muted conversation roused her from a deep sleep. A glance toward the window showed only darkness. Had she slept all day? Straining to make out the words filtering in from the hall, she could hear the concern and fear they had for her. She faintly heard her grandmother’s voice as well as Aaron’s. “Thank God,” Zara said to herself, relief washing over her. Her grandmother was okay.

  Zara peeled back the covers to get out of bed. She was weak, so weak she could hardly move. What is going on? she wondered to herself as she slowly made her way to the bathroom. Holding on to the dresser, the wall, and then the bathroom doorway for stability, it felt like she would fall at any moment. Conversation stopped in the hall the moment the others heard her. She slowly made her way back to sit on the side of the bed when she heard a soft knock on the door.

  “Zara, can I come in?” Aaron asked quietly.

  Zara raised her eyebrows, surprised. She had expected her grandmother to come to see her first. “Yes, come in.” Her heart was racing, wondering how her grandmother was doing.

  Silently, cautiously, Aaron stepped into her room. He seemed to keep his distance from Zara and was avoiding direct eye contact. “Zara, how are you, ah, feeling?” he asked tentatively.

  Zara’s eyebrows lowered in confused concern as she cocked her head to the side. “Aaron, what is going on and why are you acting weird? I’m exhausted and starving actually. How did I even get in here? The last thing I remember was practicing with Marie, then there was an intruder. I remember talking to my mom and someone was there to harm us.”

  Her heart raced as the details became more vivid. “I remember going after the intruder and feeling so much anger, this rage, it just came over me. Marie, is she okay?” Zara asked turning pale as the vision of her grandmother on the ground and the fear in her eyes came unbidden to her mind, fear directed toward her.

  “We’re not sure, Zara,” Aaron said, letting out a sigh, his body relaxing a little. “What happened out there was new to all of us. No one knows the limits of your power or the parameters for which it may flow and change. We need to be careful and maybe back off your training, for now. Zara, we need to move to a new location since it seems that Erebus knows where you are.” He ran his hand through his short-cropped hair in frustration. Zara noticed dark circles under his eyes and the lines of tension etched on his forehead she had never noticed before.

  “Okay, whatever you think is best. I’m so sorry, Aaron. Where is Marie, can I see her?” Zara asked, a bit nervous.

  “Zara, you need to understand, I’m not sure that she will make it.” He looked down, trying to hide the sadness in his eyes. “When we found her in the field, well both of you, we were not sure exactly what happened or if either of you would live. We cut the vine that had pierced through her leg and a medic from our team was able to stitch up her wound successfully, but the damage was severe, is severe.” He slowly brought his eyes up to meet Zara’s and she saw pain, for her, pain and worry as he knew that she would blame herself.

  Zara’s heart ached and her stomach filled with regret. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Aaron no, what have I done?” she said, putting her face in her hands.

  “Zara, she doesn’t blame you, none of us do. The best we can guess is when you are calm and at peace you have good control of your power, but when your anger and adrenaline get amped up the power seems to control you. Marie said it was like you weren’t the one in control, but someone or something else.

  “We have never seen anything like it.
You took out half the forest with winds so strong they uprooted many of the trees. Thick spiked vines raced all through the area and are still there intertwined through the west side of the forest. That is what hit Marie, a vine went through her thigh, but the red-tipped spikes, Zara, they were poisonous,” Aaron said as he paused to let this sink in.

  “Those vines you created from earth were full of poison. There has never been a Trinity that was able to create something like that; poison, born of darkness. Yes, they could manipulate nature, and some could make trees or flowers grow at will, but nothing of hate with a purpose of harming another.” Aaron took a step toward her. “I’m not sure what this means, but for now you need to take a break and we’ll move to another location. We’ll go somewhere for a little while until we can figure out more about this power you possess. Erebus knows where you are, and he won’t wait long to attack.”

  “Aaron, I have never felt so much anger in my life. It was like it consumed me; I couldn’t think of anything else. Part of me knew what was happening, but I couldn’t stop it, the power was so strong, it was controlling me.” Zara paused, looking at the ground as something new occurred to her, she looked back at Aaron with a determined look. “I need to see Marie, now,” she said as a small hope blossomed deep inside where it was afraid to grow. She remembered back to that first night meeting her grandmother, she remembered her other power was the power to heal. Zara hoped she may be able to save her grandmother.

  “Sure Zara, she told me that if you wanted to see her, she would allow it.” Aaron paused. “Zara, she probably will not make it through this, you’ll see what I mean when you look at her,” he said as he walked over to help Zara to stand.